Rechargeable battery

ABSTRACT

A rechargeable battery including a collector plate having a fuse hole and a fuse protrusion, increasing the reliability of the fuse hole in view of its functionality as a fuse while strengthening a section where the fuse hole is formed, thereby improving safety of the rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and including a fuse portion including a fuse hole formed therein and a fuse protrusion extending from a first side of the fuse portion adjacent a first end of the fuse hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/360,258, filed on Jun. 30, 2010 in the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a rechargeablebattery.

2. Description of the Related Art

Unlike a primary battery, a rechargeable battery may be repeatedlycharged and discharged. Low capacity batteries having a single batterycell packaged in a pack type are used for various portable electronicdevices, such as cellular phones or camcorders. High capacity batteriesare used as the power source for motor drives, such as in hybridelectric vehicles.

Rechargeable batteries may be classified into different types, forexample, cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries. The rechargeablebattery is generally constructed by accommodating an electrode assemblyhaving a positive electrode and a negative electrode with a separator asan insulator interposed therebetween in a case together with anelectrolyte, and connecting a cap assembly having electrode terminals tothe case.

When excessive heat is generated or an electrolyte is decomposed in abattery, the internal pressure of the battery may rise, resulting inexplosion and fire. Accordingly, there is a need for a rechargeablebattery configured to improve reliability.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present invention, arechargeable battery includes a collector plate having a fuse hole and afuse protrusion, which increases the reliability of the fuse hole inview of its functionality as a fuse while strengthening a fuse holesection, thereby improving safety of the rechargeable battery.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rechargeablebattery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrodeplate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the firstelectrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing theelectrode assembly; and a collector plate electrically connected to thefirst electrode plate and including a fuse portion including a fuse holeformed therein and a fuse protrusion extending from a first side of thefuse portion adjacent a first end of the fuse hole.

In one embodiment, the fuse protrusion is bent at an angle relative to asurface of the fuse portion having the fuse hole formed therein.

In one embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the fuse portion where thefuse hole is formed is smaller than that of other portions of thecollector plate.

A rechargeable battery may further include an electrode terminalelectrically connected to the first electrode plate. The collector platemay further include a connection part coupled to the electrode terminal,and an extension part extending from the connection part and coupled tothe first electrode plate. In one embodiment, the connection part has aterminal hole formed therein, and the connection part is coupled to theelectrode terminal at the terminal hole. The connection part may includethe fuse portion. In one embodiment, the extension part includes thefuse portion. In one embodiment, the extension part extendssubstantially perpendicularly from the connection part to form a cornerportion of the collector plate, and the fuse portion is proximate thecorner portion. A width of the extension part may be greater than awidth of the connection part.

In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery further includes a capassembly including a cap plate sealing an opening of the case, and atleast one electrode terminal including the electrode terminal protrudesthrough a surface of the cap plate to the outside of the case. The fuseprotrusion may be bent relative to a surface of the fuse portion havingthe fuse hole formed therein in a direction away from the surface of thecap plate. In one embodiment, the fuse protrusion is bent relative to asurface of the fuse portion having the fuse hole formed therein in adirection toward the surface of the cap plate.

In one embodiment, the electrode terminal is a first electrode terminal,and the rechargeable battery further includes a second electrodeterminal electrically connected to the second electrode plate, and thecollector plate is a first collector plate, the fuse portion is a firstfuse portion, the fuse hole is a first fuse hole, the fuse protrusion isa first fuse protrusion, and the rechargeable battery further includes asecond collector plate coupled between and electrically connecting thesecond electrode plate and the second electrode terminal, the secondcollector plate including a second fuse portion including a second fusehole formed therein and a second fuse protrusion extending from a sideof the second fuse portion adjacent the second fuse hole.

The fuse portion may further includes another fuse protrusion extendingfrom a second side of the fuse portion adjacent a second end of the fusehole opposite the first end. The fuse hole may be elongated in awidthwise direction extending toward the fuse protrusion. In oneembodiment, a distance between the first end of the fuse hole and thefirst side of the fuse portion from which the fuse protrusion extends isabout 1 mm to about 5 mm. The fuse protrusion may have a groove formedat a side thereof.

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present invention, arechargeable battery includes a collector plate having a fuse hole and afuse protrusion, thereby strengthening a section where the fuse hole isformed and increasing a duration of time in which a current flowsthrough the fuse protrusion by allowing the current to detour to thefuse protrusion when an electrical short-circuit occurs.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, ina rechargeable battery in which an electrical short-circuit has notoccurred, the fuse protrusion prevents or reduces warping or damage ofthe section where the fuse hole is formed due to external shock suchthat the fuse hole does not lose its functionality as a fuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail someexemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to theattached drawings. Moreover, additional aspects and/or advantages ofembodiments of the present invention are set forth in the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, or may be obvious in view thereofto those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rechargeable battery of FIG. 1,taken along the line I-I′;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a collector plate of the rechargeablebattery of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a collector plate of a rechargeablebattery according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the collector plate of FIG. 3A,taken along the line II-II′;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the collector plate of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a collector plate of the rechargeablebattery of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the collector plate of FIG. 7, takenalong the line III-III′; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collector plate of a rechargeablebattery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals Indicating Some Elements in theDrawings 10: Electrode Assembly 20, 20′, 120, 220: First Collector Plate25, 125: First Fuse Hole 26, 26′, 126, 226: First Fuse Protrusion 30,130: Second Collector Plate 40: Case 50: Cap Assembly 60: FirstShort-Circuit Plate 61: Second Short-Circuit Plate 100, 200:Rechargeable Battery

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings; however, embodiments of thepresent invention may be embodied in different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and setforth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided by way ofexample for understanding of the invention and to convey the scope ofthe invention to those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the artwould realize, the described embodiments may be modified in variousdifferent ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention. Like reference numerals designate like elementsthroughout the specification and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery 100 according toan embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional viewof the rechargeable battery 100, taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 1;FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a collector plate of the rechargeablebattery 100; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the collector plate ofFIG. 3A, taken along the line II-II′; and FIG. 5 is a partial plan viewof the collector plate of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of acollector plate of a rechargeable battery according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rechargeable battery 100 includes anelectrode assembly 10, a first collector plate 20, a second collectorplate 30, a case 40, and a cap assembly 50.

The electrode assembly 10 is formed by spirally winding or stacking astacked structure including a first electrode plate 11 shaped of a thinplate or film, a separator 13, and a second electrode plate 12. In oneembodiment, the first electrode plate 11 serves as a positive electrodeand the second electrode plate 12 serves as a negative electrode.

The first electrode plate 11, in one embodiment, is formed by coating afirst electrode active material, such as a transition metal oxide, on afirst electrode collector made of a metal foil such as aluminum, andincludes a first electrode uncoated portion 11 a on which the firstelectrode active material is not coated. The first electrode uncoatedportion 11 a provides a current flow path between the first electrodeplate 11 and the outside of the first electrode plate 11. The materialof the first electrode plate 11 is not limited to the specific materiallisted herein.

The second electrode plate 12 is formed by coating a second electrodeactive material, such as a graphite or carbon, on a second electrodecollector made of a metal foil such as nickel or copper, and includes asecond electrode uncoated portion 12 a on which the second electrodeactive material is not coated. The second electrode uncoated portion 12a provides a current flow path between the second electrode plate 12 andthe outside of the second electrode plate 12. The material of the secondelectrode plate 12 is not limited to the specific material listedherein.

Polarities of the first electrode plate 11 and the second electrodeplate 12 may be reversed. That is, in another embodiment, the firstelectrode plate 11 serves as a negative electrode and the secondelectrode plate 12 serves as a positive electrode.

The separator 13, positioned between the first and second electrodes 11and 12, prevents or substantially prevents an electrical short-circuittherebetween and allows movement of lithium ions. The separator 13 maybe made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a composite film ofpolyethylene and polypropylene. However, the material of the separator13 is not limited to the specific material listed herein.

The first collector plate 20 and the second collector plate 30 arecoupled to both ends of the electrode assembly 10 to be electricallyconnected to the first electrode plate 11 and the second electrode plate12, respectively.

The first collector plate 20 is formed of a conductive material, such asaluminum, and contacts the first electrode uncoated portion 11 aprotruding to one end of the electrode assembly 10 to be electricallyconnected to the first electrode plate 11. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A,in one embodiment, the first collector plate 20 includes a firstconnection part 21, a first extension part 23, a first terminal hole 24,a first fuse hole 25, and a first fuse protrusion 26.

The first connection part 21 is provided between an upper portion of theelectrode assembly 10 and a lower portion of the cap assembly 50, andhas a plate shape. The first connection part 21 has a first connectionpart width Wc. Here, the first connection part 21 may be defined by afirst terminal section St providing an area where the first terminalhole 24 is formed, and a first fuse section Sf providing an area wherethe first fuse hole 25 is formed.

The first extension part 23 is bent relative to the first connectionpart 21 and extends from an end of the first connection part 21 and isformed in a plate shape contacting the first electrode uncoated portion11 a. In addition, the first extension part 23, in one embodiment, has afirst extension part width We that is greater than the first connectionpart width Wc. Herein, a corner at which the first connection part 21and the first extension part 23 meet is referred to as ‘C.’ In oneembodiment, the first connection part 21 and the first extension part 23are perpendicular to each other about the corner C. The first connectionpart width Wc may be smaller than the first extension part width We toallow internal gases of the rechargeable battery 100 to easily movetoward a vent plate 57 opened when an internal pressure of therechargeable battery 100 is greater than or equal to a predefinedpressure.

The first terminal hole 24, in one embodiment, is formed at one side ofthe first connection part 21, that is, at the first terminal section St,and provides an opening in the first connection part 21 where a firstelectrode terminal 52 of the cap assembly 50 is inserted into andcoupled to the first terminal hole 24. In the first connection part 21according to one embodiment, the first terminal section St is positionedto be distal from the corner C.

The first fuse hole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26 are positionedover the electrode assembly 10, that is, on the first fuse section Sf ofthe first connection part 21, so as not to make contact with anelectrolyte. This is to prevent or substantially prevent the electrolytefrom causing a fire due to heat generated from the first fuse section Sfwhere the first fuse hole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26 areformed. In one embodiment, the first fuse section Sf is positioned inclose proximity to the corner C of the first connection part 21, so thatthe first fuse hole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26 do not overlapthe first electrode terminal 52 coupled to the first terminal hole 24.

In one embodiment, the first fuse hole 25 is formed passing through thefirst connection part 21. The first fuse hole 25 allows a section wherethe first fuse hole 25 is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional areathan other sections of the first collector plate 20. The first fuse hole25 may have a square shape, for example, or a rectangular shapeelongated in a widthwise direction of the first connection part 21, butthe present invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments,the first fuse hole 25 may have any other suitable shape. Further, inone embodiment, the first fuse hole 25 may be configured as a recess inthe first connection part 21 having a thickness less than that of otherportions of the first connection part 21, rather than a hole passingthrough the first connection part 21. The first fuse hole 25 functionsas a fuse that cuts off a flow of current by allowing the section wherethe first fuse hole 25 is formed to be melted by heat generated when anelectrical short-circuit occurs to the rechargeable battery 100 and alarge amount of current flows through the rechargeable battery 100. Theelectrical short-circuit may be caused by bringing a first short-circuitplate 60 and a second short-circuit plate 61 into contact with eachother when the rechargeable battery 100 is overcharged to generate heator the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 exceeds apredefined pressure due to decomposition of the electrolyte.Accordingly, the section where the first fuse hole 25 is formed ismelted using the electrical short-circuit caused due to the overchargeof the rechargeable battery 100 to interrupt the current flow, therebyinterrupting a charging or discharging operation of the rechargeablebattery 100 to avoid risks, such as fire or explosion.

In one embodiment, the first fuse protrusion 26 is bent from an end ofthe first fuse section Sf and extends toward the electrode assembly 10.At least one of the first fuse protrusion 26 may be formed on either orboth of the left or right side of the first fuse hole 25. The first fuseprotrusion 26 is bent in the vicinity of the first fuse hole 25 andstrengthens the section where the first fuse hole 25 is formed.Therefore, in a case where an electrical short-circuit does not occur tothe rechargeable battery 100 due to low resistance of the section wherethe first fuse hole 25 is formed against external shocks, the first fuseprotrusion 26 may prevent or substantially prevent the section where thefirst fuse hole 25 is formed from being warped or damaged due to theexternal shocks. In addition, the first fuse protrusion 26 forms acurrent path CP (see FIG. 5) together with the first connection part 21and the first extension part 23. The first fuse protrusion 26 allows acurrent flowing between the first connection part 21 and the firstextension part 23 to detour to the first fuse protrusion 26, therebyincreasing a duration of time in which the current flows through anarrow area. Accordingly, the first fuse protrusion 26 allows a largeramount of heat to be generated due to the electrical short-circuit ofthe rechargeable battery 100, thereby increasing the reliability of thefirst fuse hole 25 in view of its functionality as a fuse. In the firstfuse section Sf, a distance D between a starting portion of the firstfuse protrusion 26 and the first fuse hole 25, in one embodiment, isapproximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm. When the distance D betweenthe starting portion of the first fuse protrusion 26 and the first fusehole 25 is less than 1 mm, the fuse functionality of the first fuse hole25 may increase, suggesting that the strengthening capability of thefirst fuse protrusion 26 may be comparatively lowered. However, when thedistance D between the starting portion of the first fuse protrusion 26and the first fuse hole 25 is greater than 5 mm, the fuse functionalityof the first fuse hole 25 may be lowered whereas the strengtheningcapability of the first fuse protrusion 26 may increase. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first fuse protrusion 26 of thefirst collector plate 20 is bent and extends toward a lower side of thefirst collector plate 20, that is, toward the electrode assembly 10, toavoid interference between the first fuse protrusion 26 and othercomponents of the cap assembly 50. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, as shown in FIG.3B, a first fuse protrusion 26′ of a first collector plate 20′ is bentand extends toward an upper side of the first collector plate 20′, thatis, toward the cap assembly 50.

The second collector plate 30, in one embodiment, is formed of aconductive material, such as nickel or copper, and may be electricallyconnected to the second electrode plate 12 and contacting the secondelectrode uncoated portion 12 a protruding to the other end of theelectrode assembly 10. The second collector plate 30, in one embodiment,includes a second connection part 31, a second extension part 33, asecond terminal hole 34, a second fuse hole 35, and a second fuseprotrusion (not shown).

Since a configuration of the second collector plate 30 may besubstantially the same as that of the first collector plate 20 shown inFIG. 3A, a descriptions thereof is not repeated herein. In oneembodiment, the second collector plate 30 may not have the second fusehole 35 and the second fuse protrusion corresponding to the first fusehole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26. That is, in one embodiment,because the first collector plate 20 has the first fuse hole 25functioning as a fuse and since the first collector plate 20 is made ofaluminum, for example, having a lower melting point than a material ofthe second collector plate 30, such as nickel or copper, the fusefunctionality of the first collector plate 20 may be more easilyrealized than that of the second collector plate 30. However, in oneembodiment, in a case where the first fuse hole 25 of the firstcollector plate 20 does not properly perform its functionality as afuse, the second fuse hole 35 of the second collector plate 30 allowsthe fuse functionality to be maintained in the rechargeable battery 100as a whole. Alternatively, the second collector plate 30 may include thesecond fuse hole 35 and the second fuse protrusion, and the first fusehole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26 are absent in the firstcollector plate 20.

The case 40, in one embodiment, is formed of a conductive metal such asaluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel plated steel, and has asubstantially prismatic shape having an opening in which the electrodeassembly 10, the first collector plate 20 and the second collector plate30 are inserted and positioned. Although FIG. 2 illustrates a state inwhich the case 40 and the cap assembly 50 are assembled and the openingis not illustrated, the opening corresponds generally to a peripheralportion of the cap assembly 50. In one embodiment, an internal surfaceof the case 40 is subjected to insulating treatment, so that it isinsulated from the electrode assembly 10, the first collector plate 20,the second collector plate 30, and the cap assembly 50. The case 40 mayhave a polarity. That is, the case 40 may serve as a positive electrode,for example.

The cap assembly 50 is coupled to the case 40. In one embodiment, thecap assembly 50 includes a cap plate 51, a first electrode terminal 52,a second electrode terminal 53, a gasket 54, and a nut 55. The capassembly 50 may further include a plug 56, a vent plate 57, a connectionplate 58, an upper insulation member 59, the first short-circuit plate60, the second short-circuit plate 61, and a lower insulation member 62.

The cap plate 51 seals the opening of the case 40 and may be made of thesame material as the case 40. The cap plate 51 may have the samepolarity as the case 40.

The first electrode terminal 52 passes through one side of the cap plate51 and is electrically connected to the first collector plate 20. Thefirst electrode terminal 52 may be shaped of a pillar, and a thread maybe formed on the outer circumference of an upper part of the pillarexposed beyond the cap plate 51. A flange 52 a may be formed on a lowerpart of the pillar located at the lower portion of the cap plate 51 toprevent or substantially prevent the first electrode terminal 52 fromslipping away from the cap plate 51. In the first electrode terminal 52,part of the pillar positioned below the flange 52 a is inserted into thefirst terminal hole 24 of the first collector plate 20. In oneembodiment, the first electrode terminal 52 is electrically connected tothe cap plate 51.

The second electrode terminal 53, in one embodiment, passes through theother side of the cap plate 51 and is electrically connected to thesecond collector plate 30. In one embodiment, the second electrodeterminal 53 has substantially the same configuration as the firstelectrode terminal 52 except that the second electrode terminal 53 isinsulated from the cap plate 51 and, therefore, a description thereofwill not be repeated herein.

The gasket 54, in one embodiment, is formed between each of the firstelectrode terminal 52 and the second electrode terminal 53 and the capplate 51 using an insulating material, and hermetically seals gapsbetween each of the first electrode terminal 52 and the second electrodeterminal 53 and the cap plate 51. The gasket 54, in one embodiment,prevents external moisture from infiltrating into the rechargeablebattery 100 or an electrolyte contained inside the rechargeable battery100 from flowing out.

The nut 55 is engaged with the thread formed on each of the firstelectrode terminal 52 and the second electrode terminal 53 and fixes thefirst electrode terminal 52 and the second electrode terminal 53 to thecap plate 51, respectively. The plug 56 seals an electrolyte injectionhole 51 a of the cap plate 51. The vent plate 57 is provided in the venthole 51 b of the cap plate 51 and includes a notch 57 a configured to beopened at a predefined pressure.

In one embodiment, the connection plate 58 is formed to be inserted intoa space between the first electrode terminal 52 and the cap plate 51 andclosely contacts the cap plate 51 and the gasket 54 under the nut 55.The connection plate 58, in one embodiment, electrically connects thefirst electrode terminal 52 and the cap plate 51 to each other.

The upper insulation member 59, in one embodiment, is formed to beinserted into a space between the second electrode terminal 53 and thecap plate 51 and closely contacts the cap plate 51 and the gasket 54.The upper insulation member 59 insulates the second electrode terminal53 and the cap plate 51 from each other.

In a short-circuit hole 51 c of the cap plate 51, the firstshort-circuit plate 60 is disposed between the upper insulation member59 and the cap plate 51. The first short-circuit plate 60, in oneembodiment, is an inverted plate having a rounded portion that isdownwardly convex and an edge portion fixed to the cap plate 51. Thefirst short-circuit plate 60 may be inverted to be upwardly convex whenthe internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 exceeds apredefined pressure due to overcharge of the rechargeable battery 100.The first short-circuit plate 60, in one embodiment, has the samepolarity as the cap plate 51.

The second short-circuit plate 61, in one embodiment, is formed suchthat the second electrode terminal 53 is inserted from an exterior sidespaced apart from the cap plate 51, that is, on the upper insulationmember 59 and extends to cover the short-circuit hole 51 c. The secondshort-circuit plate 61 is electrically connected to the second electrodeterminal 53. The second short-circuit plate 61 comes into contact withthe first short-circuit plate 60 that convexly protrudes upwardly whenthe internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 exceeds apredefined pressure due to overcharge of the rechargeable battery 100,thereby causing an electrical short-circuit to the rechargeable battery100. When the electrical short-circuit is caused to the rechargeablebattery 100, a large amount of current flows through the rechargeablebattery 100 to generate heat. Here, the first fuse hole 25 or the secondfuse hole 35 performs a fuse function, thereby improving the safety ofthe rechargeable battery 100.

The lower insulation member 62, in one embodiment, is disposed betweeneach of the first collector plate 20 and the second collector plate 30and the cap plate 51, and prevents an unnecessary electricalshort-circuit from being caused to the rechargeable battery 100.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention including the first collector plate20 having the first fuse hole 25 and the first fuse protrusion 26 and/orthe second collector plate 30 having the second fuse hole 35 and thesecond fuse protrusion, a strength of a section where the first fusehole 25 or the second fuse hole 35 is formed is reinforced. When anelectrical short-circuit occurs to the rechargeable battery 100, aduration of time in which a current flows through the first fuseprotrusion 26 or the second fuse protrusion is increased by allowing thecurrent to detour to the first fuse protrusion 26 or the second fuseprotrusion.

If no electrical short-circuit has occurred to the rechargeable batteryaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, the first fusehole 25 can be prevented or substantially prevented from losing itsfunctionality as a fuse by preventing or reducing warping or damage ofthe section where the first fuse hole 25 or the second fuse hole 35 isformed due to external shocks. Once an electrical short-circuit occurs,the reliability of the first fuse hole 25 or the second fuse hole 35 isincreased in view of its functionality as a fuse, thereby improving thesafety of the rechargeable battery 100.

A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery 200 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a perspectiveview of a collector plate of the rechargeable battery 200; and FIG. 8 isa cross-sectional view of the collector plate of FIG. 7, taken along theline III-III′.

Configurations and functions of the rechargeable battery 200, in oneembodiment, are substantially the same as those of the rechargeablebattery 100 described above, except that locations of a first fuse hole125 and a first fuse protrusion 126 of a first collector plate 120 and asecond fuse hole 135 and a second fuse protrusion (not shown) of asecond collector plate 130 are different from the locations of thecorresponding components of the rechargeable battery 100 described aboveand, therefore, descriptions of same components will be omitted. In thefollowing description, the rechargeable battery 200 will be describedwith emphasis on the first fuse hole 125 and the first fuse protrusion126 of the first collector plate 120 and the second fuse hole 135 andthe second fuse protrusion of the second collector plate 130.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the rechargeable battery 200 includesthe electrode assembly 10, the first collector plate 120, the secondcollector plate 130, the case 40, and the cap assembly 50.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first collector plate 120, in oneembodiment, includes a first connection part 121, a first extension part123, the first terminal hole 24, the first fuse hole 125, and the firstfuse protrusion 126.

The first fuse hole 125 and the first fuse protrusion 126, in oneembodiment, are substantially the same as the first fuse hole 25 and thefirst fuse protrusion 26, respectively, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, in viewof their configurations and functions, except that the first fuse hole125 and the first fuse protrusion 126 are formed on an upper portion ofthe first extension part 123 where contact with an electrolyte isprevented or substantially prevented, that is, on a first fuse sectionSf′ in close proximity to the corner C. The first fuse protrusion 126,in one embodiment, is bent and extends toward the electrode assembly 10.Alternatively, the first fuse protrusion 126 may be bent and extendingtoward the case 40. A first contact section Sc in the first extensionpart 123 corresponds to an area that is in contact with the firstelectrode uncoated portion 11 a.

The second collector plate 130, in one embodiment, includes a secondconnection part 131, a second extension part 133, the second terminalhole 34, the second fuse hole 135, and the second fuse protrusion (notshown). The second fuse hole 135 and the second fuse protrusion aresubstantially the same as the first fuse hole 125 and the first fuseprotrusion 126, respectively, in view of their configurations andfunctions.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery 200, the first fuse hole125 and the first fuse protrusion 126 are formed in the first extensionpart 123 of the first collector plate 120, and/or the second fuse hole135 and the second fuse protrusion are formed in the second extensionpart 133 of the second collector plate 130, thereby preventinginterference between the first fuse protrusion 126 and the cap assembly50 or interference between the second fuse protrusion and the capassembly 50.

A collector plate of a rechargeable battery according to anotherembodiment of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collector plate of a rechargeablebattery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Configurations and functions of the rechargeable battery aresubstantially the same as those of the rechargeable battery 100 shown inFIG. 2, except that the configuration of a first fuse protrusion 226 ofa first collector plate 220 is different from that of the first fuseprotrusion 126 of the first collector plate 120 of the rechargeablebattery 100 shown in FIG. 2, and, therefore, description of samecomponents thereof will be omitted. In the following description, therechargeable battery will be described with emphasis on the first fuseprotrusion 226 of the first collector plate 220. Referring to FIG. 9,the first collector plate 220 may include the first connection part 21,the first extension part 23, the first terminal hole 24, the first fusehole 25, and the first fuse protrusion 226.

The first fuse protrusion 226 is substantially the same as the firstfuse protrusion 26 shown in FIG. 3A, except that the first fuseprotrusion 226 further includes at least one first auxiliary groove 227formed on its side surface. The first auxiliary groove 227 reduces asection where the first fuse protrusion 226 is formed withoutconsiderably lowering a strengthening function of the first fuseprotrusion 226. Accordingly, the first auxiliary groove 227 may increasea duration of time in which a current flows through the section of thefirst fuse protrusion 226 that has become narrow when the currentflowing through a path between the first connection part 21 and thefirst extension part 23 is allowed to detour to the first fuseprotrusion 226. Accordingly, the first fuse protrusion 226 allows alarger amount of heat to be generated due to an electrical short-circuitof the rechargeable battery, thereby increasing the reliability of thefirst fuse hole 25 in view of its functionality as a fuse. Meanwhile, asecond collector plate (not shown) may be formed to correspond to thefirst collector plate 220.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, at least one first auxiliary groove227 is formed on the first fuse protrusion 226, thereby increasing thereliability of the first fuse hole 25 in view of its functionality as afuse without considerably degrading the strengthening capability of thefirst fuse protrusion 226.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to someexemplary embodiments, the foregoing disclosure should be interpreted asillustrative only, and it should be understood that variousmodifications and equivalent embodiments can be made by those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

1. A rechargeable battery comprising: an electrode assembly comprising afirst electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator betweenthe first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a casecontaining the electrode assembly; and a collector plate electricallyconnected to the first electrode plate and comprising a fuse portionincluding a fuse hole formed therein and a fuse protrusion extendingfrom a first side of the fuse portion adjacent a first end of the fusehole.
 2. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the fuseprotrusion is bent at an angle relative to a surface of the fuse portionhaving the fuse hole formed therein.
 3. The rechargeable battery ofclaim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the fuse portion where thefuse hole is formed is smaller than that of other portions of thecollector plate.
 4. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, furthercomprising an electrode terminal electrically connected to the firstelectrode plate.
 5. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, wherein thecollector plate further comprises a connection part coupled to theelectrode terminal, and an extension part extending from the connectionpart and coupled to the first electrode plate.
 6. The rechargeablebattery of claim 5, wherein the connection part has a terminal holeformed therein, and the connection part is coupled to the electrodeterminal at the terminal hole.
 7. The rechargeable battery of claim 5,wherein the connection part comprises the fuse portion.
 8. Therechargeable battery of claim 5, wherein the extension part comprisesthe fuse portion.
 9. The rechargeable battery of claim 5, wherein theextension part extends substantially perpendicularly from the connectionpart to form a corner portion of the collector plate, and the fuseportion is proximate the corner portion.
 10. The rechargeable battery ofclaim 5, wherein a width of the extension part is greater than a widthof the connection part.
 11. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, furthercomprising a cap assembly comprising a cap plate sealing an opening ofthe case, wherein at least one electrode terminal comprising theelectrode terminal protrudes through a surface of the cap plate to theoutside of the case.
 12. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, whereinthe fuse protrusion is bent relative to a surface of the fuse portionhaving the fuse hole formed therein in a direction away from the surfaceof the cap plate.
 13. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, wherein thefuse protrusion is bent relative to a surface of the fuse portion havingthe fuse hole formed therein in a direction toward the surface of thecap plate.
 14. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, wherein theelectrode terminal is a first electrode terminal, and the rechargeablebattery further comprises a second electrode terminal electricallyconnected to the second electrode plate, and wherein the collector plateis a first collector plate, the fuse portion is a first fuse portion,the fuse hole is a first fuse hole, the fuse protrusion is a first fuseprotrusion, and the rechargeable battery further comprises a secondcollector plate coupled between and electrically connecting the secondelectrode plate and the second electrode terminal, the second collectorplate comprising a second fuse portion including a second fuse holeformed therein and a second fuse protrusion extending from a side of thesecond fuse portion adjacent the second fuse hole.
 15. The rechargeablebattery of claim 1, wherein the fuse portion further includes anotherfuse protrusion extending from a second side of the fuse portionadjacent a second end of the fuse hole opposite the first end.
 16. Therechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the fuse hole is elongated in awidthwise direction extending toward the fuse protrusion.
 17. Therechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein a distance between the firstend of the fuse hole and the first side of the fuse portion from whichthe fuse protrusion extends is about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
 18. Therechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the fuse protrusion has agroove formed at a side thereof.
 19. The rechargeable battery of claim1, wherein the rechargeable battery is configured for driving a motor ofa hybrid electric vehicle.